Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Coffee Maker

Verdict

A premium, design-forward brewer that delivers a strong, well-rounded cup with stable brew temps and a simple, quiet workflow. It’s easiest to justify if you value build, looks, and consistent fundamentals over convenience features—because it’s expensive and still has a few practical annoyances (like hand-wash care).

Pros

  • Brewing performance & consistency 1 review 5.0
    Most reviewers agree the KBGV Select brews at proper SCA-approved temperatures and can produce a strong, well-rounded pot, and long-term owners say it delivers consistently great-tasting coffee day after day, though some testing still finds the flavor only average with hints of uneven water distribution compared with cheaper brewers.
  • Heating-element power 5 reviews 4.9
    The copper heating system is consistently reported to hit proper brew temperatures, and this review measured roughly 200°F at the shower head (within the 195–205°F target range), supporting its reputation for stable heating, while the hotplate keeps coffee hot and then shuts off automatically after about an hour.
  • Recognition & certifications 3 reviews 4.8
    This Moccamaster model is Golden Cup certified by the Specialty Coffee Association and also approved by the European Coffee Brewing Centre, and reviewers like knowing that its brew time and water temperature meet rigorous independent benchmarks for proper extraction at home.
  • Warranty & Customer support 3 reviews 4.8
    A five year warranty on new units, lifetime repair support, and readily available affordable replacement parts for common wear items give buyers strong confidence that the brewer will last many seasons of daily use.
  • Speed & time-to-cup 4 reviews 4.8
  • Build quality & durability 3 reviews 4.7
    Owners and reviewers describe the KBGV Select as a hand built, sturdy-feeling brewer with a premium, long-term-investment vibe, and this review reinforces that it feels well made out of the box, while also noting some plastic elements and a slightly jiggly top piece that can feel less premium given the price.
  • Assembly & Setup 3 reviews 4.5
    New owners report that initial assembly is straightforward, with the outlet arm, filter holder, and carafe slotting into place quickly and only a couple of water-only cycles needed before brewing real coffee.
  • Popularity 2 reviews 4.5
    The KBGV Select remains a fixture in best drip coffee maker lists, its iconic silhouette is widely copied by Moccamaster style brewers, and reviews often mention its buzzy reputation and fiercely loyal fanbase among serious coffee drinkers.
  • Design, ergonomics & footprint 1 review 4.5
    Reviewers consistently highlight the KBGV Select's distinctive, modern styling and broad color palette as a major draw, and some long-term owners say its performance-first, timeless lines still look great in their kitchens years later, even though the tall, space-hungry footprint and visible plastic can make it feel like you are paying more for aesthetics than functional upgrades.
  • Warranty & Customer support 1 review 4.5
    Owners value the long warranty coverage on Moccamaster machines, and some report their brewers still running reliably well past the coverage period, which reinforces confidence in the brand's long-term durability even though direct support experiences are rarely discussed.
  • Design, ergonomics & footprint 6 reviews 4.5
    Reviewers consistently highlight the KBGV Select's distinctive, modern styling and broad color palette as a major draw, with some calling it a counter centerpiece, and this review echoes that it looks cool and appealing, while also noting that visible plastic elements and a slightly jiggly top piece can feel less premium at its high price.
  • Accessories 4 reviews 4.4
    Reviewers appreciate simple extras like the included scoop and starter paper filters, and some also like that the brewer accepts standard number four papers or an optional permanent filter for longer term savings.
  • Pot function 4 reviews 4.4
    The independent hotplate automatically adjusts its holding temperature based on the amount brewed, offers high and low settings, and shuts off after about 100 minutes, and owners say it keeps coffee very hot for the full hold time and still pleasantly warm for some time afterwards without excessively stewing the flavor.
  • Brewing performance & consistency 5 reviews 4.3
    Owners and pro reviewers say the Moccamaster brews at proper SCA level temperatures and, with a dialed in medium coarse grind, produces smooth, strong pots of coffee that many describe as close to pour over in flavor, though some comparative testing still finds the cup only average at times and points to uneven water distribution that can dull nuance versus cheaper drip machines.
  • Filter 4 reviews 4.3
    The removable cone shaped filter basket works like a pour over dripper and pairs well with both Moccamaster branded and standard number four paper filters, and reviewers appreciate that the machine ships with a couple of starter papers and can also be used with an optional permanent filter for less waste.
  • Overall user experience 6 reviews 4.2
    Many users find the Moccamaster quiet and appreciate the simple two switch ritual, fast brew times, and automatic hotplate, and some pour over fans say the straightforward workflow actually converts them to drip coffee, but others note that the nonprogrammable controls, lack of advanced drink options or alerts, smaller fixed reservoir, hot surfaces, and hand wash cleaning keep it from feeling as convenient or foolproof as some cheaper, feature packed machines.
  • Value & Price 1 review 4.0
    The KBGV Select is positioned as a premium, long-lasting brewer with a steep upfront price, and while some testing feels the plastic-heavy build and sometimes average cup quality make it hard to justify over cheaper drip machines, daily users who rely on it for years often view it as a worthwhile investment with a very low cost per brew.
  • Automation & sensors 5 reviews 3.9
    Automation is simple but practical: the machine uses a straightforward on/off workflow with a half vs full setting, plus a hotplate that holds heat and shuts off automatically, while skipping more advanced programmability or smart features.
  • Capacity 4 reviews 3.9
    The KBGV Select's 40 ounce water tank can brew a full ten cup pot or, using the half batch mode, an optimised six cup run, giving enough flexibility for solo drinkers and small households even though it holds a bit less coffee than some 50 ounce competitors.
  • Build quality & durability 3 reviews 3.8
    Owners praise the stainless steel construction and copper heating system and many long-term users say it feels almost bombproof, but several reviews also complain that the plastic body and thin carafe handle look and feel cheap for such an expensive machine.

Cons

  • Water system, maintenance & descaling 6 reviews 3.3
    Maintenance is manageable but not ultra-convenient: along with other non-dishwasher-safe parts noted by reviewers, this review specifically calls out that the carafe is not dishwasher safe and must be washed by hand.
  • Value & Price 6 reviews 3.2
    Reviewers agree the Moccamaster is a high priced, design forward brewer aimed at serious coffee drinkers, and this review reinforces that it can make a strong, well-rounded cup but still may not feel life-changing for the money, so its value depends on how much the buyer prioritizes aesthetics, build, and consistent fundamentals over extra convenience features.
  • Cup, tray & carafe handling 5 reviews 3.1
    Reviews describe the glass carafe as functional rather than luxurious, with a mixing funnel and drip stop to keep the brew uniform, and most say it pours cleanly, but several note the thin plastic handle feels cheap, the lack of measurement marks is inconvenient, and the lid and pour stream can be awkward, sometimes flipping open or splashing at moderate speeds, and this review adds that the carafe is not dishwasher safe so it must be washed by hand.
  • App, connectivity & smart control 5 reviews 2.2
    Reviews repeatedly point out that the KBGV Select has no programmable timer, app connectivity, or other smart controls, and several users mention missing delay brew, single cup, and specialty drink modes, and some note that for the price they would prefer more high tech conveniences even though many coffee enthusiasts are happy to trade those features for straightforward manual operation.